Browns Stadium Blocked?

The Cleveland Browns plan for a new stadium has hit a snag.

The Cleveland Browns’ proposal to build a new domed stadium in Brook Park has hit a major obstacle after state aviation officials ruled the current design too tall for the airspace near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The decision does not end the project, but it injects significant uncertainty into a plan that had already cleared several local hurdles. The Browns and their partners had promoted the $2.4 billion development as a transformative project, with a stadium at its core surrounded by new housing, retail, hotels, and public amenities. Brook Park City Council had rezoned the 176-acre site earlier this summer to accommodate the proposal.

The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation reviewed the building plans and determined that the projected height of the domed roof would extend above acceptable thresholds for nearby flight paths. The agency’s ruling contrasted with a prior review by the Federal Aviation Administration, which had not identified a hazard.

Airport officials have voiced concern that a structure of that size could affect operations at Hopkins, potentially requiring pilots to adjust flight procedures during poor weather. State regulators echoed those worries in their ruling, citing the importance of keeping approach and departure paths free of obstruction.

The setback leaves the Browns and their development team with limited options. They could appeal the state’s determination, rework the design to bring the structure within aviation limits, or shift focus to another potential site. Each alternative comes with financial and political complications.

Regional business groups have expressed continued support for the project, emphasizing its potential economic and cultural impact. At the same time, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and County Executive Chris Ronayne are strongly opposed to the plan, preferring the team to remain in the current downtown stadium location.

The team had envisioned opening the new stadium in time for the 2029 season. With this latest development, the timeline and even the location of the project are now in question, and the immediate future of the Browns’ stadium ambitions remains unsettled.